Why Dry Skin Brushing Can Benefit Your Health

Today I want to share with you the importance of dry skin brushing. This is something I do religiously before taking a shower and I can confess that the benefits have been incredibly noticeable. Our Lymphatic systems are working over time and with our current western diet and sedentary lifestyle where we spend hours in front of our computers eating lots of saturated fats, we need it more than ever.So why is dry skin brushing so important?

The skin is our largest organ and even though we spend hours caring for our faces, we so often neglect the rest of the body. The skin is a complex system made up of nerves, glands and cell layers that buffer and protect us from toxins, extreme temperatures and also allow us to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste. It produces antibacterial substances that protect us from infection and also support the production of Vitamin D when exposed to the sun.
Skin brushing is one of the most important steps in any detoxification programme and an important part of daily health maintenance.

What are the benefits?
The benefits of skin brushing goes much deeper than just the aesthetic appearance, which many would agree is important too.
Some of the key benefits include:

Stimulate the Lymphatic System – the lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating waste products that’s been collected from your tissues and that has been transported to your blood for elimination by way of lymphatic drainage. Inefficient drainage leads to lymphatic congestion and is one of the leading factors for inflammation and disease. It is therefore really important that we stimulate the lymphatic system with dry skin brushing to help with the release of toxins and detoxification.

Support the Nervous System – brushing stimulates the nerve endings in the skin and directly support the nervous system.

Exfoliation – dry skin brushing removes dead skin cells which not only improves appearance but also allows the skin to breathe.

Reduce Cellulite – dry skin brushing soften hard fat deposits under the skin and distribute them more evenly, which lessons the appearance of cellulite.

Where will you find your main lymph nodes?

Either side of your throat

Under the arms

Groin Area

Elbows

Knees

How to Skin Brush

You need a natural vegetable fibre bristle brush with either a detachable handle, such as a ‘Forsters Body Brush’, which can be purchased from pravera. Synthetic fibres can lead to a build up of static electricity in the body so choosing natural is best.
Spend around 3-5 minutes each morning before having a shower or bath at least for the first few months after which point you can reduce to 2 to 3 times per week. It is worth noting that brushing in the evening can stimulate the body too much and could lead to poor sleep, so always best to do in the morning.
Always brush in long strokes towards the heart and repeat each area around 5-7 times.

Start with the soles of the feet from the toes to the heels

Then brush each leg, paying special attention to the areas around the knees and the groin

Brush up the buttocks and around the back side of the trunk

Brush over the abdomen in clockwise direction (try and follow the line of the colon) but be sure to avoid the genital area

Next brush the hands (palm and back) and carry up the arm to the shoulder and again paying greater attention to the armpit area and repeat the other side

Then move onto the head, but here we are brushing down as we are always brushing towards the heart as this is the area where a main lymphatic duct is situated. Brush the head, neck and throat, paying special attention around the throat area on either side and try to brush towards the collar bones

Now you can attach the handle to the brush the back and shoulder area

Areas to avoid:

Breast and genital area

Sensitive skin

Varicose veins

Open wounds

Inflamed or irritated skin

Sunburnt areas

Enlarged Lymph nodes

Active Cancer areas

It is a good idea to follow your dry skin brushing with a hot shower, followed by a cold shower for as long as you can tolerate it as this will encourage better circulation and no doubt will leave you invigorated for the day ahead.

I would love to know whether dry brushing forms a part of your daily routine, so please leave me a comment.